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A common inventory of garden tools includes leaf and garden rakes, hoes, shovels, trowels, pruners, gloves, garden hoses and a lawn mower. These tools must be maintained well since you will soon be pruning, planting, mulching, mowing and weeding again.

Lawn mowers > For those who like the old-fashioned way, people-powered reel-type push mowers need little maintenance. Just keep the blades sharp and spray a little WD-40 lubricant onto the cutting surface and axle shafts. Hang the mower in the shed or garage. As long as your lawn is cut regularly, a new version of the push mower will do an excellent job and is easy to use. For those who prefer mowers powered by petrol rotary motors, these are the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s guidelines for winterising and safely using them >

Outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, drain or run petrol tank dry of fuel. Disconnect spark plug wire and remove spark plug. Pour a small amount of light oil into the cylinder and pull starter rope to turn engine several times. Replace the plug. Clean caked-on grass and wipe down mower deck, handle and controls. Store mower and petrol in well-ventilated area away from all flames.

After every 20 to 25 hours of operation, take the rotary blade to a mower shop to have it sharpened and balanced. Change the oil and clean or change the air filter.

Every 100 hours, remove and clean the spark plug, or replace it if it is burnt or corroded. Lubricate mower wheels with No 2 multipurpose lithium grease, if the wheels and blade housing have fittings.

Electric mowers get their power from an electric outlet or a rechargeable, on-board battery. They are low maintenance. All you need to do is keep the housing clean, the power source charged and the blade sharpened and well-balanced.

Spreaders and sprayers > The tools for applying lawn and garden nutrients are spreaders and sprayers. Thoroughly clean sprayers and spreaders after every use. Many landscape chemicals are corrosive. If you fail to rinse these pieces of equipment soon after use, you may need to buy new ones or replace parts.

Pruning tools > There are lots of hand-held manual pruning tools. Because winter is the time for many pruning tasks, they should be prepared for heavy-duty use. Bypass pruners cut like scissors. Put a little oil on the pivot point; clean them and sharpen blades. Use a sharpening stone or a fine-textured, flat metal file. Use it to remove burs and sharpen the bevel. Don’t sharpen any pruner razor-thin or change the angle of the bevel on the blade. This will cause it to lose its edge quickly. Don’t remove deep nicks in the blade, just little ones. This will extend the blade’s life.

Anvil pruners have a single blade that cuts into a flat surface placed in its jaw. The cut of an anvil pruner depends on how the blade hits the flat surface. If the blade does not squarely hit the anvil, it will not make a clean cut on the part of the plant you are pruning. The anvil is a part that can be replaced if it has deep grooves in it.

A lopper-style pruner is a difficult tool to keep aligned and sharp because it tends to be used for large branches that require a saw. The lopper can twist or snap due to the leverage that can be applied because of its long handles. The most practical aspect of loppers is the long-handled reach. Be careful of the thickness of the branch you choose to cut.

Loppers and hand pruners also come with ratchet action, which is good if you need the extra pressure to prune through a branch. Don’t squeeze this pruner tightly. It will break the ratchet device.

Pruning saws are the handiest tools for cutting branches from about three-quarters of an inch to three inches thick. For pruning higher than you can reach, use a pruning saw fashioned to fit on an extension pole. Blades are curved, narrow at the end and wider as you move towards the handle. The coarse crosscut blade is very effective when sharp. When the blade is dull, replace it. Use a tree company to safely prune large trees. Do not climb the tree yourself.

Shovels > Prepare the digging edge of your shovel by honing it to remove burs, nicks and dullness. Leave the shovel edge somewhat blunt or thick at the end so you will not wear the edge down too quickly. An all-steel or steel reinforced, straight-edged garden or nursery spade with a 27-inch D-grip is my favourite multipurpose digging tool.

Handles > To get wooden handles in shape and reduce the chance for splinters, sand them with a fine sand paper and rub in a mixture of linseed oil and kerosene. Dilute the linseed with enough kerosene so that it soaks into the wood. All your wooden tool handles will last longer and will be a pleasure to use after being oiled. Work outdoors or in a ventilated tool shed.

Odds and ends > Now, it is time to get into your workshop and organise. Tighten the nuts and bolts on your garden equipment so everything is ready to use. Don’t forget to check wheelbarrows, rototillers and other tools.

How a room is lit is very important. Make sure you give it enough consideration when planning your room. We explain the details and try to make your life an easier one

Good lighting is melodramatic, sexy, and captivating, whatever you want it to be. Lighting can make a startling difference to your home, and this is commonly overlooked in the setting up of interiors. But, lighting should be a priority and thought about at the initial stages of a build. Provision for the different types of lighting, which will create atmosphere and mood, allow function and create highlights in your interior, should be installed at the same time as other services such as plumbing and general electricity requirements.

Thomas Edison’s 1879 invention of electric lighting transformed our homes. Candles and lanterns were quickly replaced, and today lighting consultants play with electrically-powered light to make homes look amazing. You may feel you can take on the lighting plan yourself, but a good lighting or interior designer can transform your space with their inventiveness and creativity.

The choices in lighting are phenomenal, with an array of different types of fixtures available from retail outlets or the web.

When planning a lighting scheme you will need to consider a room’s function and the amount of light needed for the activities of each area. Take advantage of the natural ambient light of a room and then enhance it in a variety of ways. Think about the mood you would like to create in it, and how to create harmony with the rest of the décor. It is not just about beams of light but about using light in innovative ways, whether natural light or artificial, such as creating sculptures and shapes with dark and light, and interesting shadows; playing with textures and enjoying different effects such as light bouncing off prisms of crystal, or washing a wall with colour and brightness.

Types of lighting are grouped into categories, and different designers may have varying classifications. In general, there are five types of lighting: general/background; task; accent; decorative; and kinetic.

Task Lighting > This is lighting which is needed for specific, localised functions such as reading, sewing, or playing a musical instrument. It is usually provided by lamps that control the light and direct it to a particular area of need, such as a desk. The task areas of the room need to be thought out from the start. Once these are accounted for, then the general lighting can be addressed.

It is a good idea to think early on about the furniture layout for the room, as the lighting will need to adapt to it accordingly. If you place a favourite chair for reading in a particular zone, then your task lighting should light up the area for you to read comfortably. Make sure the wattage output is adequate to provide a clear light, with no dazzle or glare.

General/Background > This is overall lighting that permeates the entire room. The central hanging pendant or chandelier is the most common form of general lighting used, despite its tendency to give inadequate, unflattering light, and its inability to light the edges of a room. The secret is to create balance and harmony by using the other types of lighting within the space. When a room’s lighting is not done properly, it will feel uncomfortable. On the contrary, if it is effective, it will feel welcoming, discreet, and interesting.

To assess the natural light coming into the room, study the space at different times of the day, from morning to nightfall, without any lights on. Even after dark you may have light coming in from outside, whereas in the morning, you may find that one room is considerably darker than another. The aspect of a room, that is, the way it faces, will play a huge part in the amount of light it receives. Take this into consideration when building a new property, before you or your architect decide on which way a new build will face. The quality of light will vary tremendously. A north facing room’s natural light will tend to be much colder than south or west facing, and receive the least amount of sunlight.

Accent > This is usually low voltage lighting such as that directed to shine onto a coffee table, or an area with an arrangement of flowers or decorative objects. Accent lighting accentuates wall art and can bring out a completely different perspective on three-dimensional artwork. Halogen spotlights work well in this instance but according to Colombian-born interior designer, Samuel Botero: “The most elegant, refined and precise way to illuminate artwork is with fibre-optic lighting”. Accents of light in specific parts of a room do not have to exist for a functional reason, but simply because they add a dramatic touch. For example, you might beam light up through the foliage of a tropical plant, producing an interesting relationship between light and shadow.

Decorative > Lighting fixtures themselves express a mood and can become a unique focal point. Some fittings are intrinsically beautiful objects and must be thought of as additional pieces of art in the room. Contemporary versions of chandeliers displaying shimmering glass and sparkling crystals still make stunning, glittering centrepieces. But it does not have to be something that twinkles. Fabric and a huge variety of other materials from metal to mother of pearl are used effectively and innovatively. It is just a matter of finding something to your taste which matches in size and style with your interior, whether it be a wall light, floor standing, or hanging object. For that drop-dead gorgeous finishing touch to your room, be bold and make a statement.

Kinetic > A real fire or a candle can transform a space and give it a completely different mood. Remember, that lighting influences a room’s mood and atmosphere. A well-lit space will project a positive, upbeat mood. Darker rooms create more intimacy and mystery. A romantic atmosphere is enhanced with dim lighting and candles but generally the lighting should also feel comfortable and not be too dark.

Bulbs > Light bulbs are formally rated by their colour temperature, which is measured in degrees Kelvin (K). Temperatures below 3,500K are reddish or warm and higher temperatures more blue. Choose the wattage bulbs carefully according to the function of the task area. You may want a soft light in some areas but for most close work, you’ll want a fairly high watt bulb. Tastes vary and some people will find they prefer to live and work in natural lighting and find higher watt bulbs too intrusive. Take this into account according to who will be living and using each room.

Balance > The key to balancing the light is in layering. A lighting designer first determines the focal points of a room and directs the brightest layer of light there. Next, the middle layer is added to provide interest in specific areas, without detracting from the focal points. The final layer is the background or ambient lighting which will tie the scheme together. To avoid monotony, install variety in your scheme by placing lights at differing heights as well as intensities.

Keep your lighting flexible so that it can adapt to different situations such as when you are having a dinner party, a quiet night in reading a good book, or playing family board games. Use the different types of lighting to adjust the levels. Also, dimmer switches and control panels can help you tailor the light from clear and bright to a soft, comforting glow.
Play with light and see what works best for different situations. The different lighting elements within a room should act together in harmony to produce an interesting yet unified effect. An effective lighting scheme is crucial if you want your home to look decidedly different.

The word oregano is from the Greek meaning “joy of the mountain.” “Oros” is for mountain, and “ganos” for joy. Origanum vulgare was the variety that grew in Greece so we can assume the name is for this species. The reason for the name is in question.

No doubt the mountains covered with purplish white clusters of pinecone shaped flowers, were a “joy” to behold. The early Greeks grazed their livestock on the hillsides and were likely “filled with joy” to find the taste of the meat much improved. Could this be the reason for the name?

Oregano was used for medicinal purposes long before it was utilized for cooking. The Early Greeks and Romans made poultices from the leaves for aching muscles and insect bites. This brings us to the third “name theory.” Was it the successful medicinal applications that made it the “joy of the mountain”? Few things make us happier than good health!   

European colonists coming to America brought oregano tea remedies to treat coughs, headaches and indigestion. Herbalists today recommend it for the same uses. An additional benefit found by modern science is that oregano abounds with antioxidants. One tablespoon of fresh oregano has the antioxidants of one medium sized apple.

There are more than thirty species of origanum and each of these is variable. The flavor depends on climate, soil conditions, and cross-pollination. Even a plant in your garden can vary year to year. Sowing seeds from the same packet can yield plants with different flavors. You may want to sample a leaf in order to find a plant that is perfect for you. This is a gardening adventure!

Origanum heracleoticum and origanum vulgare-viride are the two varieties favored for cooking.  Do let your nose and tastebuds be your guide. The ideal flavor is said to be of peppery thyme, but that may not be so for you. If an oregano leaf smells and tastes like something you’d like to eat, use it. Today it is used to enhance the flavor of egg, cheese, meat and vegetable dishes as well as Italian, Mexican and Greek foods. It pairs well with garlic, parsley and basil. 

Through the centuries the rose has symbolised both love and conflict, a little bit like the plant itself, such glorious blooms; such thorny stems. Cultivation of roses is believed to have started at least 5000 years ago in China and most modern roses can be traced back to this time.

It is interesting to note that the rose also appears in Greek mythology, its creation credited to Chloris, the Greek goddess of flowers. Other gods and goddesses are said to have also assisted in the end result, its beauty coming from Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and its charm, brightness and joy from the Graces. The god of wine, Dionysus, added nectar for a sweet scent and the west wind, Zephyr thoughtfully blew away clouds so sun god Apollo could shine and allow the rose to bloom.

The Empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon, was a rose lover. Her garden at Chateau de Malmaison was renowned for its rose collection and way back in time, roses also adorned the Persian palace of Nebuchadnezzer.

Roses have been used for medicinal purposes and in beauty treatments; their petals have been used for perfume, as mattress stuffing and as confetti. On a more morbid note the rose was also the symbol of England’s War of the Roses between York and Lancaster, the red rose symbolising Lancaster and the white, York.

“My goal is to provide a venue for people from all walks of life to showcase their little piece of the earth and share their decorating ideas, challenges, tastes and accomplishments with others who are seeking inspiration” said Danish web designer Jakob Jelling on the launch of Dwank.com, a social networking site that promises to be the ‘MySpace’ for people interested in home décor.

“That the website provides an opportunity to explore other cultures as well is simply icing on the cake,” he added.

Being fed up with buying expensive decorator magazines, filled with great ideas that most people can’t afford to implement drove Danish web designer to boldly go where no decorating magazine has ever gone before, inside the homes of ordinary people. 

Dwank.com is a free web site, said Jelling, which offers people from around the world the opportunity to upload and share pictures of their home, condo or flat with anyone who cares to drop by the site and look at them. 

“It’s not your standard hobby,” Jelling admits, “but it’s a fascinating one once you realize that regardless of world politics all most people want at the end of the day is a warm and safe place to call home that reflects their unique style and taste.” 

There are currently listings from Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Egypt, Greece, India, the United States and other countries. Jelling is particularly hopeful that people from some of the world’s most remote and exotic locations will hear about the website and upload pictures of the dwellings that they call home.

Source > Social Computing Magazine